The Monkey's Secret- Gennifer Choldenko HOT KEY BOOKS WEEK

The Blurb

In a segregated town, a hidden boy, a courageous girl - and a mystery in desperate need of solving. San Francisco, 1900. Thirteen-year-old Lizzy Kennedy is not like the other girls in her town. She'd much rather be helping her doctor father with his patients than be stuck in frilly dresses and learn how to dance - but unfortunately for her, society (and her Aunt Hortense) has other ideas about what is 'proper' for a young lady. This includes not poking your nose in other's people's business - but then Jing, their beloved housekeeper, gets stuck in the Chinatown quarantine. Fear rules San Francisco - fear of the Chinese, and mostly fear of the plague rumours that circle them. Lizzie knows she has to help Jing, whatever the warnings. But what she doesn't expect to find is a strange boy hiding in Jing's room. The boy is called Noah. He says he's Jing's son - although Lizzie's never heard of him - and although he's escaped the quarantine, he can't risk leaving the house in case he gets rounded-up too. Lizzie wants to investigate, but it seems her questions only get people riled up. Is there really plague in San Francisco? What have the Chinese got to do with it? Just what or who is the mysterious 'monkey' - and what has his secret got to do with anything? Lizzie will have to use all of her courage, instinct and cleverness to unravel the mystery of the monkey's secret, save Jing, Noah and Chinatown - and maybe even her change her own destiny.

The Review

I've not read Gennifer Choldenko's previous books, and The Monkey's Secret is quite different to my usual choice of reading material.  However, I was drawn in by the bright cover art and when I realised it was set in San Francisco I knew I wanted to give it a whirl (it's one of the destinations I'm heading to on my trip to America later in the year).

The Monkey's Secret is a fictional story based around actual events in San Francisco at the turn of the twentieth century.  Doctor's daughter Lizzy overhears an adult conversation which appears to be spoken in code- why is everyone talking about a monkey?  After much digging, she discovers rumours that the plague is rife in the Chinatown region of the city and takes it upon herself to find out more. 

Lizzy is a wonderful character- brave, clever and sharp as a tack.  She's determined and strong and refuses to let adults keep her in the dark.  Her tenacity is admirable and I am so pleased this book had a great female protagonist, particularly as it's set in the past.  Aunt Hortense was a formidable woman too, I could imagine her throwing the most withering of looks to those who dared to do anything she disagreed with.  This book will definitely appeal to the feminist reader due to the ballsy portrayal of the female characters.

There were times the pace was a bit slow for my taste, but I was interested enough in the story to keep turning the pages.  It was appealing to read a book set in a different time and place and the imagery Choldenko portrays, particularly within Chinatown, is magnificent.  The sense of mystery really comes across and whilst I was cheering Lizzy on, willing her to obtain the information she desperately longs for, I had my heart in my mouth at the end of the story.  There are a few chilling moments, that's for sure.

At the end of the book there's a timeline showing the actual dates of the events that inspired Choldenko and I definitely learnt a lot from this - I never even knew San Francisco had been affected by the plague. 

If you're looking for a unique mystery with a feisty female lead, The Monkey's Secret is well worth a look.

The Monkey's Secret is out now, published by Hot Key Books.

With thanks to Hot Key Books who provided me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Snake Typhoon- Billie Jones

 

The Blurb
Move over Lara Croft, there’s a new action hero in town!

When unseasonable weather hits the sunshine city of Brisbane, a freak typhoon terrorizes the citizens. It’s not just any typhoon though, it’s a snake typhoon! And the deadliest snakes in Australia, with venomous fangs are flying straight for Kez.

Kez is the new girl in the office and she’s desperately fighting to prove herself, but what’s a girl to do when faced with a typhoon of snakes coming straight for her helicopter?

These flying diabolical snakes will stop at nothing to kill their victims and Kez only has one option: Figure out how to stop a snake typhoon and save the world... or die trying!

The Review
When the author approached me and asked if I'd like to review Snake Typhoon, I really wasn't sure if it'd be my sort of thing.  I mostly read romance or thriller/suspense and this is a completely different book!  It reminded me of those action movies that require you to suspend disbelief- Snakes on A Plane type films with a generous sprinkling of the farce from the parodies of the genre, or a cartoon from my childhood.

Although totally different to my usual reading material, I enjoyed Snake Typhoon more than I thought.  It was entertaining and amusing, quirky and unique. 

I liked Kez as the girl who has a point to prove, she was an interesting character that I'd like to learn more about.

Overall, if you like humorous spoof films such as Scary Movie then this could be the perfect short read for you.  At just 10,000 words it can easily be read in one sitting for a quick dose of action and it certainly gave me some laughs on my commute.

Snake Typhoon is to be released as an ebook by Carina on January 24th and is available for preorder now.

7/10

With thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Secret Seven-Enid Blyton

Oh, Enid Blyton.  The cause of much debate and controversy in children's fiction, yet still incredibly popular.  Adults are often dismissive of Blyton, even those who loved her books as a child, and I was very keen to start rereading some of my favourites.  When the opportunity to review The Secret Seven came up, I jumped at the chance.  I must have read the whole series at least ten times between the ages of 5-10, and the books that I especially enjoyed many more times that that. 

With slight trepidation I picked up the book.  Would I be disappointed?  Should childhood favourites be left in the past for fear of spoiling the happy memories they provide?  Or would I feel like I was being reacquainted with old friends?

The Secret Seven is the first book in the series.  First published in 1949 there are definitely parts of it that seem dated, especially some turns of phrase that are used (particularly by straight laced Janet).  However they were probably also outdated in the mid 1980s when I read these books the first time, and I was never aware that they were so old fashioned through my childhood eyes.  The same could well be true for children in modern society, infact I would go as far as to assume that it IS true, or the books would surely have gone out of print-nostalgia alone is not enough to keep publishers printing books, they have to actually sell too.

I whizzed through the story, and recalled many of the key moments throughout.  It was almost like being transported back to my own childhood, a sense of deja vu.  I loved reliving the adventure, particularly the sense of being tucked away in the shed sat on a flowerpot in the meetings the children have.  Passwords and disguises abound as the seven set off to find out who the stealthy men sneaking around a spooky old house are.  What are they doing, and why?  Of course the Secret Seven come up trumps, I don't think that is a spoiler, and as an adult I finished the book with the same sense of satisfaction that I did the first time around.  This surely shows the power a good book has, it can stand the test of time and be read at varying stages in life and still be appreciated.

The Hodder edition I had to review was illustrated by Tony Ross, which is obviously an attempt to make the books as visually appealing as possible to the young audience of the twenty-first century.  Whilst I liked the illustrations I didn't feel they gelled especially well with the text, but this may just be because they are not what I would traditionally associate with Blyton. 

Don't overlook Blyton thinking her work outmoded and irrelevant for children today.  Any child seeking high adventure and a story about true friendship and teamwork will find plenty in the Secret Seven books to appeal to them.

I have already decided that I'm going to buy all the books in the series to reread and review.  They will then remain on my son's bookshelf to hopefully be enjoyed again and again-they are classics, pure and simple.

9.5/10
With thanks to Hodder for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an impartial review.

Dixie O'Day In the fast Lane- Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy

Dixie O'Day In the Fast Lane is a collaborative work between Shirley Hughes and her daughter Clara Vulliamy.  Aimed at young readers, it is a fantastic introduction to a basic chapter book and a perfect progression from picturebooks.  With seven short chapters it would also work well as a bedtime read for children not yet confident to read alone.

 

Dixie O'Day in the Fast Lane is the first book in the Dixie O'Day series.  We are introduced to Dixie and his sidekick Percy as they embark on a calamitous race reminiscent of an episode of Wacky Races.  They meet a variety of challenges on their journey as they topple on a cliff edge and get stuck on a train track-can they overcome these mishaps and finish before confident, cocky Lou Ella? 

 

With simple red, white and black illustrations, Clara Vulliamy has created bold, attractive artwork which perfectly compliments the text.  The movement and velocity in the images will capture a child's imagination and adds to the quick-paced nature of the book.  Dixie and Percy are illustrated as charming, visually appealing characters full of mischief and fun.

 

The additional content is superb.  A detailed map precedes the story allowing children to visualise Dixie and Percy's adventure (and maps are always very popular with children!), and also question and answers sessions with Dixie, an array of suggestions of games to play on a car journey and a quiz section which acts as an introduction to comprehension activities.

 

I am already a huge Dixie O'Day fan.  Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy have come up trumps.  Dixie O'Day In the Fast Lane is a brilliant first chapter book for younger readers.  Exciting and appropriate for the target age range, it would make a lovely gift or keepsake for children aged five-eight.  I particularly like the array of additional features that set it apart from other books. 

 

Dixie O'Day In the Fast Lane is out now, published by The Bodley Head, an imprint of Random House Children's Publishers. 

 

10/10

 

With thanks to Random House Children's Publishers who provided me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.